The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-03
And the Two Seconds Of the General With
draw from the Affair-Sympathy Turns
Toward the Man Insulted BY III. Ferry.
The Irish Home-RuIers Jubilant Over
the Election of George 0. Trevelyan.
Turn of the Political Wheel that May Cause
Radical Change in Salsbury's Policy
Another Wrangle in the Commons.


The Latter Will Not Fight Except on Terms
That Would Make a Duel Harmless.
PARIS, Aug. 2-General Boulanger's seconds
publish a report of what they say transpired at a
conference between them and the seconds of NJ.
Ferry. This report is in substance, as follows:
General Boulauger desired a serious reparation
one properly proportioned to the gravity OF nj.
Ferry's affront On this account he proposed
that the combatants exchange shots until one
was hir the choice of the distance to be left to
the seconds of N. Ferry. These con-
dltions not being accepted General
Boulaneer's seconds agreed to be content
with exchange of shots between
the principals at twenty PAGES without any word
of command. Considering this proposal to en-
body the extreme limit of General Bouangers
formal instructions, his seconds did not feel
authorized to make any further proposition. H.
Ferry's seconds would only accept a duel at
twenty-fv PAGES, with a single exchange of
shots, firing to be opened at a word of command.
Thereupon, as the offended party has the right
to dictate the conditions of duel without being
obliged to submit to terms dictated by his ad-
versary's seconds. General Boulangers seconds
withdrew from the affair.
The attempts Of General Boulangers seconds
to arrange a duel between their principal and
much amusement to disinterested persons. The
chickering's OF the representatives of the ex-Mn
lister have gone far to confirm the opinion
form ed by many. that the affair would ultimate
ly end in a fzzle, and the tactics employed ap-
pear to have heen borrowed for the occasion from
the devotees of sprint-day prize-rings Sympa-
thy. however, is with General Bouanger, and the
suspicion is rapidly gaining ground that NJ. Fer
ry will not fight unless he can be insured that
the chances OF his getting hurt will be reduced
to a remote possibility. In fact, men who have
given the matter any thought, and there is
scarcely one who has not. find it difficult to
eliminate from the things to be considered the
suggestion Of cowardice accompanying the
action of man who goes out of his way to in
suit another, and when satisfaction is demanded
of him the field of honor, insist upon limit
ing the liability of danger to himself a single
exchange Of shots at twenty-five PAGES.
This proposition. coming from NJ.
Frrry's representative, was promptly and
Indignantly rejected by Count Dillon on behalf
of General Boulanger, and his action is applauded
by gentlemen who yesterday believed M. Ferry
justified in his structures upon General Boulan-
GER and denounced the latter's impudence in
resenting the formers language in the manner
he chose in the attempt to vndcate his wounded
honor. On the other hand, General BoulaDgers
friends insist more strenously than ever that
only the shedding of NJ. Ferrys blood will suffice
to repair the injury he has inflicted upon Frances
most conspicuous il not her greatest soldier.
Nobody doubts that in n meeting without restric-
tion to the lumber of shots to be exchanged,
General Boulanger would kill NJ Ferry if he
possibly could but that isn't the kind
OF duel the latter wants to fight III. Ferry
has shown himself to be thorough opportun-
ist in this affair. if he has done before
by ayailing himself of the first opportunity pre-
sented to ward off the consequences of his ill
chosen and unprovoked language in a political
speech intended to grossly insult man in every
way his peer, and. as the action of his repre-
sentatlves has shown, in respect of bravery.
his superior. Count Dillon. who, 1t
may Incidentally be mentioned; .h is the
Bennett Mackay Cable Company, is said to have
remarked to a friend, after his withdrawal from
the conference of seconds that duel between
the OK Premier and ex- Minister of War was pos
sible but if it should be fought according TO the
methods insisted upon by M. Ferry. 1t could not
be otherwise than harmless. That General Bou-
LANCER would however, consent such
rangement, both he and others of the Generals
friends did not believe.
NJ. Ferrys seconds confirm the statements
made by the representatives of General Boulan-
ger to the disagreement their conference
but explain that they proposed that the duel
shonld be ought under the same conditions
those observed in the meeting between General
seconds refused to accede to this proposal. and
claimed the right to settle the details OF the
affair. Ferry'g seconds declined to admit the
claim of the opposite party that the offended
party was entitled to settle the conditions of the
meeting, and the matter ended.
Deputy Laur has institut ed legal action again st
M. de Cassagnac for libel, in denouncing him
q liar ard making other derogatory statements